Their Pirate Princess

Regrets and Insults

I decide to tell Jamie what happened. I wait for her to shower, and when she comes back in the cabin dressed for the day, I take my chance.

“I kissed Ash last night.”

Jamie drops the towel she was holding and sits on the bed facing me, “You kissed Ash?” She squeals.

“Shhh. Not so loud. I don’t want him to hear us.”

She looks sheepish, “Sorry. I just never expected that. When did this happen?”

“Last night. I couldn’t sleep, so I went up to the cockpit to hang out with him and we ended up kissing.”

She gasps. “Was it a good kiss? Was it a peck or an actual kiss? What happened after?”

“It was the best kiss I’ve ever had.” I answer her first question. “It was a real kiss, and he is an amazing kisser. As for what happened after, that’s where it gets weird.”

“Oh my god, what happened?” She leans forward, waiting.

“Well, we broke apart from our kiss, and he started to slip his hand up my shorts.”

Jamie squeals again and I give her a warning look.

“Sorry.” She whispers. “Continue.”

“So he started to slip his hand up my shorts, and then just as we were about to kiss again, Luke walked in.”

Jamie rolls her eyes. “Ugh, of course Luke would come in at the worst time. I would have thrown something at him and yelled at him to go away.”

“Yeah, well him interrupting is where it gets weird.” I tell her.

Her eyes widen. “Tell me.”

“Well, he interrupted and instead of apologizing, or joking about it like he usually would, he acted…. angry.” I scrunch my eyebrows in thought.

“Angry?” Jamie questions.

“They had this standoff between them, Luke and Ash. And then when I tried to leave, Luke wouldn’t move out of the way and gave me attitude. Ash snapped at him for it.”

“Wow, Ash snapped at him for you? That’s sexy.” Jamie waggles her eyebrows at me.

“Jamie.” I chide her.

“Sorry, but that is hot.” She shrugs. “That is weird that Luke would act like that though. Do you think he was jealous?”

I think about it for a second. “No, it’s Luke. We’ve been best friends forever. And I have had boyfriends before.”

“True. Well, maybe he was just being protective. Ash is someone we just met and we don’t know much about him.” She points out.

“That’s possible.” I say. “That would make the most sense.

“Exactly. I would just go out there and act like everything is fine. Then tonight go up for round two.” Jamie winks at me. I bat her arm, making her chuckle.

“You’re right. Thank you for the advice. You’re the best.”

“I know.” She says, making me laugh.

----------------------------------------

I tried. I really did. Jamie said to act like everything was fine, so that’s what I did. But things were not fine. Luke would barely look at me all day. Whenever I tried to talk to him he would ignore me or give me one word answers.

Ash was no better. He seemed tense, nothing like how he acted last night. Thankfully Jamie was there to talk and joke around with me.

Eventually I give up with Luke and Ash and go back to my cabin. I take a quick shower, then toss on a black satin tank top and short set. Once again sleep evades me. I toss and turn while trying not to wake up Jamie, sleeping next to me. I lay there, knowing I should just stay put, but the urge to see Ash and try to talk to him is too strong. And that is why I find myself getting up and going to see him. I debate changing, but let’s be real, I wore this outfit on purpose.

As I enter the cockpit I stop in my tracks, surprised to see that Ash isn’t alone. Sitting on one of the benches is Luke. They're both sitting in silence, but my entrance has them both turning my way. Luke scoffs when he sees me, looking me up and down. Ash slowly smirks but turns when Luke looks over at him.

I curse myself for not noticing Luke wasn’t in his bed in the saloon. If I had I would have went back to bed, but instead I’m standing here awkwardly, at a loss for words.

For some reason I feel the need to explain myself. “I couldn’t sleep again, and didn’t want to wake Jamie with my tossing and turning.”

Luke ignores me, but Ash responds. “It can be hard to sleep during your first time on a sailboat.”

I take a seat on the other end of the bench that Luke is sitting on, but seat myself closer to Ash.

I look out at the sky and see the big dipper that Luke had pointed out the night before. I point to it. “The big dipper.” Ash smiles at me, but when I look at Luke he’s frowning. I swallow hard, trying to think of something else to say, but Ash beats me to it.

“No need to worry about the sleeping. Only about four more nights until we reach Mundele Isle.”

“That’s reassuring.” I say. “How about you?” I ask Luke. "Couldn’t sleep either?”

He looks over at me. “Nope.”

“I hope your shift isn’t soon then. Don’t want to doze off and send us in the wrong direction.” I try to joke. He doesn’t laugh and just continues to stare.

“Is that you’re way of telling me you want to be left alone? I doubt you came up here dressed like that just because you couldn’t sleep.” He gestures to my pajamas. I try not to let his words bother me, but I feel the urge to cover myself.

“It was just a joke.” I tell him, feeling defensive. “And there’s nothing wrong with what I’m wearing. They’re just pajamas.”

He rolls his eyes, but doesn’t say anything more. I wait to see if Ash will say anything, but he doesn’t speak up this time. Not that I expected him to come to my defense again, but it would have been nice.

Finally Luke breaks the silence. “If you must know, no I couldn’t sleep. So I came up here, to get more experience sailing, instead of traipsing around in skimpy outfits, trying to make out with the first person I see.”

His words shock me. Of course Luke and I have fought in the past, but over stupid things and it was never serious. But he’s never insulted me before. Tears sting my eyes. This time I expect Ash to say something in my defense, but he too remains silent. Although his gaze does land on me.

At this point I’ve had enough. Clearing my throat, I stand up to leave, “This has been great. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being insulted by my best friend.” I stare at Luke and he at least has the decency to look sheepish. “Thank you both for making me feel unwelcome and uncomfortable on my own boat.”

I emphasize the word both, looking at Luke then Ash. When I finish talking Ash opens his mouth to speak, but I hold up my hand to silence him and he immediately closes his mouth.

“If you’ll excuse me, I am going to get some sleep. Have fun or don’t. I really don’t care.” With that I walk back to my cabin. Once I’m laying in bed I finally let the tears fall.